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england boss: We'll Experiment

Hodgson to give fringe players a chance to shine in friendly against Denmark

England v Denmark, Live on ITV 1 at 8.00pm

 

England manager Roy Hodgson will send out an experimental line-up in tonight's friendly against Denmark at Wembley with Luke Shaw, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Rickie Lambert all set to be given significant game time in order to impress the boss.

Hodgson recently named a 30-man squad for the clash at Wembley, but he will have to cut it down to 23 in time for this summer's World Cup.

The match is Hodgson's last chance to take a look at his fringe options ahead of naming his squad on May 13.

"I will consider using all 29 of them," Hodgson said.

"We've brought Luke Shaw in because we feel his performances have merited a place in the full England squad.

"All being well it would be nice to get him on the field as well but I don't want to make any promises."

England defender Kyle Walker has been ruled out due to a groin injury, which means Glen Johnson is likely to win his 50th cap against the Danes.

"It is unfortunate of course," Hodgson said of Walker's injury.

"He hasn't played for the last two or three games and we were hoping he would recover but he needs at least another week before he will be fit to play.

"He was with us last night, we had a 'Brazil' meeting to put our plans forward.

"There aren't that many defenders so there is a good chance he plays, if you insist I tell you Glen Johnson will get his 50th cap at right-back then I can say yes."

Hodgson also confirmed yesterday that he will use a sports psychiatrist in the lead-up to the World Cup - naming Dr Steve Peters as the man who will help prepare the team for the challenges in Brazil.

Peters will be involved with Hodgson's squad and the manager is pleased to have him on board.

"It is not just any psychologist," he said.

"It is Dr Steve Peters, who is a very famous man in that area.

"He has a great CV of working in different sports and has been doing some work with Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers so Steven Gerrard knows him well.

"It is something we have spoken about for some time but we wanted to get the right man - luckily Brendan let me talk to Steve and he has accepted our invitations."

Meanwhile, Denmark coach Morten Olsen said he will not field Tottenham star Christian Eriksson unless he is "100 per cent fit."

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